Shannon Cut Loose In The Second Half

Alan Quinlan made an appearance for Shannon at the Belfield Bowl on Saturday, helping the league champions win through to the semi-finals of the AIB Cup.

The Munster and Ireland flanker played from the start but his influence was kept to a minimum in the opening period as UCD, with flanker Kevin Croke at his energetic best, took a 21-10 lead into the break.

Quinn's 15th-minute opener was a thing of beauty as the ball was worked through twelve pairs of hands before the former Munster Under-19 player slid over for Fergus McFadden to convert.

The home side, beaten 31-15 by Shannon in the league last week, gobbled up any turnovers on offer and their excellent ball retention skills meant an upset was very much on the cards.

Croke's try was a case in point as Quinlan was caught in possession in the lead-up to it. Indeed, UCD's performance was all the more noteworthy given the fact that their first choice half-backs - Ian Keatley and Paul O'Donohue - were missing, given their involvement with the Irish Under-20s on Friday night.

But unfortunately the students lost their way in the early part of the second half as they had Matt Nagle (45 minutes) and Killian Lett (60) yellow carded and Shannon capitalised, as only they can do.

Limerick Gaelic footballer Stephen Kelly scored a peach of a try in the 50th-minute as, in a move created by Munster's Mossie Lawlor, he timed his run on the right flank to perfection. He succeeded in collecting Lawlor's lobbed kick forward, at lightning speed, to cross for his sixth try of the season.

Andrew Thompson's conversion cut the gap to 21-17 and Shannon dominated the closing stages with number 8 David Quinlan, who also touched down in the first half, ending a 35-metre sprint with his second try and pacy hooker Sean Cronin weaving through the gaps for a deserved score, as UCD's challenge wilted.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.